Process
Step 1 - Initial Phone Meeting
Before committing your time or ours, this 15-minute phone call will give us both a chance to make sure your situation matches our expertise. After all, you wouldn't see a brain surgeon if you needed heart surgery.
If you aren't a good fit for each other we will gladly propose a solution that is better suited for your needs.
Step 2 - First Meeting
Prescription without evaluation and diagnosis is malpractice.
The goal of this meeting is to get perfectly clear on your goals, concerns and unique financial situation.
Your answers to our questions, along with the documents we requested, will guide our analysis, which will result in plain-English answers to your questions.
Step 3 - Our Analysis
This is where the magic happens.
We will apply decades of experience and thousands of hours of training to answer the following questions:
Step 4 - Second Meeting
This is where the proverbial rubber hits the road.
During this meeting we will explain, in plain English, exactly what you need to do to achieve your financial goals, including the answers to the four questions we asked during our analysis.
This is where you will see how our firm can improve your finances, your peace of mind, and allow you to focus on living your one life the best way you can.
Before committing your time or ours, this 15-minute phone call will give us both a chance to make sure your situation matches our expertise. After all, you wouldn't see a brain surgeon if you needed heart surgery.
If you aren't a good fit for each other we will gladly propose a solution that is better suited for your needs.
Step 2 - First Meeting
Prescription without evaluation and diagnosis is malpractice.
The goal of this meeting is to get perfectly clear on your goals, concerns and unique financial situation.
Your answers to our questions, along with the documents we requested, will guide our analysis, which will result in plain-English answers to your questions.
Step 3 - Our Analysis
This is where the magic happens.
We will apply decades of experience and thousands of hours of training to answer the following questions:
- How much can I spend in retirement?
- Are you overpaying in taxes?
- Does your portfolio fit with your stated goals and objectives?
- Can you eliminate, or at least reduce threats to your retirement?
Step 4 - Second Meeting
This is where the proverbial rubber hits the road.
During this meeting we will explain, in plain English, exactly what you need to do to achieve your financial goals, including the answers to the four questions we asked during our analysis.
This is where you will see how our firm can improve your finances, your peace of mind, and allow you to focus on living your one life the best way you can.
What do I get?
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Client Service Calendar
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Client Communication Policy
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Questions to Ask a Potential Advisor
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What to Expect: Your First Year
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Common Questions
Q. Why is an initial comprehensive financial plan required?
A. In order for us to understand your financial situation, we must review, in-depth, all aspects of your financial life. This typically takes 20-30 hours of work and we commonly review 40+ financial documents.
Q. For ongoing financial planning, you only meet with us 1 time a year?
A. We have 1 formal review scheduled each year, however you can meet with us as many times as you want. After the first year, clients typically meet with us 3-4 times a year including the formal review.
Q. How many times do we meet during the initial financial plan process?
A. Here is the typical meeting schedule:
Q. Can I really contact you as much as I want?
A. During normal business hours, yes! I acknowledge all questions within 1 business day, even if it takes longer to get an answer.
Q. I am not sure which ongoing financial plan option is right for me?
A. I will provide pros and cons to each option after completing the comprehensive financial plan. Generally speaking, if you're still in your working years, option #2 may be a better fit. If you're already retired, option #1 may be best.
Q. I don't think a financial advisor is worth the cost. What value do you really provide?
A. While many people initially think of financial advisors as just money managers, our role is much broader and more impactful. Yes, we handle investments, but that's just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
As we work together, you'll find that our engagement often extends far beyond your investment portfolio. We address a wide range of financial concerns, from saving for children's education and caring for aging parents to ensuring adequate insurance coverage and optimizing your unique benefits.
Our true value lies in our ability to provide comprehensive, personalized guidance that helps you make informed decisions and stay on track toward your financial objectives.
Q: I don't have enough time to meet with a financial advisor. How can I fit this into my busy schedule?
A: I completely understand this concern. Our lives are indeed a whirlwind of commitments. However, it's not about having time, it's about making time for what matters. The time you dedicate to our meetings can be among the most productive time you spend, helping you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and ultimately achieve your financial goals more efficiently.
Q: I prefer to handle my finances myself. Why should I consider working with a financial advisor?
A: While it's certainly possible to achieve a degree of success on your own, the complexities of financial planning - require a depth of knowledge and expertise that goes beyond surface-level understanding.
Think of it this way: just as you might consult a professional for a complex home renovation project, working with a financial advisor doesn't mean relinquishing control. Instead, it's about ENHANCING your financial autonomy. We bring to the table not just knowledge, but the ability to tailor that knowledge to your unique financial situation, identifying opportunities and pitfalls that might otherwise be overlooked.
Q: I've had a bad experience with a financial advisor before. Why should I try again?
A: I'm truly sorry to hear about your negative experience. It's important to remember that one bad experience doesn't define an entire profession. Just as you wouldn't swear off all medical professionals after one bad experience with a doctor, it's worth considering that not all financial advisors are the same.
I take pride in providing personalized and transparent services to each of my clients. My specialized knowledge allows me to offer insights that many general advisors simply can't provide. I believe everyone deserves to work with someone who will listen to them, understand their goals, and help them craft a plan that works for them.
Q: I'm still years from retirement. Isn't it too early to start planning?
A: It's never too early! Some of the biggest payoffs come from decisions you make early in your career. We can help you make smart choices now that will seriously boost your retirement later.
A. In order for us to understand your financial situation, we must review, in-depth, all aspects of your financial life. This typically takes 20-30 hours of work and we commonly review 40+ financial documents.
Q. For ongoing financial planning, you only meet with us 1 time a year?
A. We have 1 formal review scheduled each year, however you can meet with us as many times as you want. After the first year, clients typically meet with us 3-4 times a year including the formal review.
Q. How many times do we meet during the initial financial plan process?
A. Here is the typical meeting schedule:
- Goals, Values and Alignment Meeting - We discuss your goals, values and get on the same page regarding your financial goals and desires.
- Data Review Meeting - We review the summarized data provided, share insights, background and ensure we are on the same page.
- Plan Presentation - We go through the prepared financial plan in-depth. Sometimes this is covered in 2 meetings.
- Implementation Meeting - We help implement any recommendations developed from the financial plan. Sometimes this is covered in 2 meetings.
Q. Can I really contact you as much as I want?
A. During normal business hours, yes! I acknowledge all questions within 1 business day, even if it takes longer to get an answer.
Q. I am not sure which ongoing financial plan option is right for me?
A. I will provide pros and cons to each option after completing the comprehensive financial plan. Generally speaking, if you're still in your working years, option #2 may be a better fit. If you're already retired, option #1 may be best.
Q. I don't think a financial advisor is worth the cost. What value do you really provide?
A. While many people initially think of financial advisors as just money managers, our role is much broader and more impactful. Yes, we handle investments, but that's just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
As we work together, you'll find that our engagement often extends far beyond your investment portfolio. We address a wide range of financial concerns, from saving for children's education and caring for aging parents to ensuring adequate insurance coverage and optimizing your unique benefits.
Our true value lies in our ability to provide comprehensive, personalized guidance that helps you make informed decisions and stay on track toward your financial objectives.
Q: I don't have enough time to meet with a financial advisor. How can I fit this into my busy schedule?
A: I completely understand this concern. Our lives are indeed a whirlwind of commitments. However, it's not about having time, it's about making time for what matters. The time you dedicate to our meetings can be among the most productive time you spend, helping you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and ultimately achieve your financial goals more efficiently.
Q: I prefer to handle my finances myself. Why should I consider working with a financial advisor?
A: While it's certainly possible to achieve a degree of success on your own, the complexities of financial planning - require a depth of knowledge and expertise that goes beyond surface-level understanding.
Think of it this way: just as you might consult a professional for a complex home renovation project, working with a financial advisor doesn't mean relinquishing control. Instead, it's about ENHANCING your financial autonomy. We bring to the table not just knowledge, but the ability to tailor that knowledge to your unique financial situation, identifying opportunities and pitfalls that might otherwise be overlooked.
Q: I've had a bad experience with a financial advisor before. Why should I try again?
A: I'm truly sorry to hear about your negative experience. It's important to remember that one bad experience doesn't define an entire profession. Just as you wouldn't swear off all medical professionals after one bad experience with a doctor, it's worth considering that not all financial advisors are the same.
I take pride in providing personalized and transparent services to each of my clients. My specialized knowledge allows me to offer insights that many general advisors simply can't provide. I believe everyone deserves to work with someone who will listen to them, understand their goals, and help them craft a plan that works for them.
Q: I'm still years from retirement. Isn't it too early to start planning?
A: It's never too early! Some of the biggest payoffs come from decisions you make early in your career. We can help you make smart choices now that will seriously boost your retirement later.